IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:

Some people think that the government is wasting money on the arts and this money could be better spent elsewhere.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

Sample Answer 1: (Disagree) Arts sometimes reflect the heritage of a country and depict the creativity of an individual. While many believe that financing in arts is a wastage of money, I am of the opposite view as I believe that financing in arts is a good idea for the government.

Supporters of the idea put forth that diverting funds towards arts hamper the national well-being. For example, available monetary resources could be put to use in building more hospitals, roads, infrastructure and schools. This means increasing care of the sick and improved transportation to previously inaccessible areas. For children, it caters for increased literacy rates. This group of people believe that art is a luxury and many governments cannot afford this extravagance. According to them, other important sectors require more money and hence a government should stop spending money on arts and invest in more critical areas.

However, while investments in such areas are vital, spending on arts is equally important. Allocating money to the development and sustenance of arts helps boost the economy. Art galleries can attract tourists from all over the world, generating revenue in return. It is also the case that viewing and practising arts are good sources of venting out stress and recreate. Such activities also portray a positive picture of a nation and help to take pride in if pieces of arts become famous. If governments fail to support arts fiscally, many art galleries and theatres would not be able to survive.

Hence, it is clear to me that spending on arts is beneficial both for an individual and society. Therefore funding arts is not squandering money.

[Written by - Sadaf Malik]

Model Answer 2: (Agree) Some contend that there are many pressing concerns that a country must resolve first before putting emphasize to art. However, I personally think that art is an essential part of a culture and it is quite fair to allocate funds to preserve and develop art.

Admittedly, there are some justifications by people who oppose spending on promoting arts. First of all, most art projects are expensive with no obvious outcomes that have direct relations to a nation’s income. For example, the monument of Kebangkitan Pahlawan in Malang city that adsorbed almost 1 billion rupiahs does not attract people that much. Besides, art is not a critical aspect of the sustainability of human’s life. Human’s life will not disappear just because they have a less taste of esthetic.

However, I still support that the government should allocate budget for arts. Art is part of a culture which becomes the identity of a nation and if the culture is strong enough, eventually it could be a major source of income. For instance, Bali is an island in Indonesia, where millions of visitors come each year to experience the combination of conventional values and modern lifestyles. The government in Indonesia invests more than a third of their budget to maintain their traditional arts. Furthermore, art makes a life worth living- as food, art is a supplement for the human soul. It has a magnificent power to aid buildings, roads, parks, and everything, with its uniqueness. Just imagine how empty a room would be if there is no painting or decoration on the wall! Art is enhancing people’s life by leveraging their experiences and empowering people to possess beautiful imagination.

To conclude, supporting art is important for a government as it would enhance the quality of life either by improving tourism industry or by providing a better artistic facility.